Chinese Employee Berated by HR for Taking Sick Leave, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Workplace Reform
A startling incident unfolded in Hangzhou, China, involving an employee of a prominent MCN institution, Vision Entertainment. The employee, whose identity has not been disclosed, found themselves at the center of a heated controversy after requesting a one-hour leave of absence due to a fever of 37.9 degrees Celsius. Instead of receiving understanding or support, the employee was met with a barrage of insults from the HR representative, who deemed their condition "too trivial" to warrant a leave, suggesting that they were being "too sensitive" and should "see a psychiatrist" because "38 degrees is nothing to fuss about."
6 June 2025
The situation rapidly escalated when, later that evening, the employee discovered that their work account had been deleted, and they were informed that their performance salary for the month would be shaved down to zero. This sequence of events, detailed in a post shared on social media, sparked widespread outrage and indignation among netizens, who fiercely criticized the HR representative's behavior as unacceptable and indicative of a broader issue with how employees are treated in the workplace.
The company, Vision Future (Hangzhou) Information Technology Co., Ltd., which operates under the brand "Vision Entertainment," has faced intense scrutiny and backlash in the wake of this incident. Despite claims from the company that the incident was merely a "personal dispute" between two individuals, the public and local authorities have seen through this narrative, recognizing it as a clear case of workplace bullying and abuse of power. The labor bureau in Xiaoshan District, where the incident occurred, has stepped in to investigate the matter, and the company has since announced that it will be terminating the labor contract of the HR representative responsible for the verbal abuse.
The incident highlights several critical issues within the workplace culture of certain Chinese companies, including the devaluation of employee health and well-being, the lack of adequate protections and support systems for workers, and the prevalence of a "wolf culture" that emphasizes productivity over people. The swift and severe actions taken against the employee for simply requesting a short leave due to illness underscore the deep-seated problems of power imbalance and the exploitation of workers in some corporate environments. The local social security bureau's intervention, ensuring that the employee would face no disciplinary action and that their performance salary would not be unjustly reduced, signifies a step in the right direction but also underscores the necessity for systemic changes to prevent such incidents in the future.
The narrative surrounding this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and the pursuit of a healthier, more respectful work environment in China. Many have questioned the company's corporate culture and values, given that an employee was berated by an HR representative for taking a sick leave due to a fever. The fact that the company's leadership allowed such behavior to occur has raised concerns about the company's commitment to treating its employees with respect and dignity. The incident has sparked a heated debate about the imbalance of power in the workplace and the disregard for employee rights, with many netizens expressing outrage and stating that the HR representative's behavior was a severe breach of professional ethics, lacking basic empathy.
In light of the incident, it is imperative for companies to reflect on their treatment of employees and prioritize their welfare. The fundamental right of employees to take sick leave and receive corresponding medical leave is not only a matter of humane treatment but also a legal requirement. Companies have a legal obligation to adhere to relevant laws and regulations, ensuring the protection of their employees' legitimate rights. By handling employee requests for leave in a more reasonable and compassionate manner, companies can mitigate the risks of damaging their reputation and instead, foster a positive and supportive workplace culture.
Ultimately, the protection of employee rights and the cultivation of a healthy work environment are essential for the sustainable development of any enterprise. By prioritizing these aspects, companies can build trust with their employees, improve job satisfaction, and create a competitive advantage in terms of talent retention and attraction. In the face of such incidents, corporate reflection and proactive measures to safeguard employee rights are not just ethical imperatives but also strategic necessities for long-term success. The incident has brought to light the need for stronger labor protections and more stringent enforcement of existing laws to safeguard the rights and dignity of employees, and as society continues to evolve and labor laws gradually become more comprehensive, incidents like these will hopefully become fewer and farther between, marking a shift towards a culture that values and protects the well-being of all employees.
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